The surname of ART is a German and Ashkenazic Jewish occupational name for a physician. The name was originally derived from the Old German word ARZT, via the Latin form ARCIATER. The name is also spelt ARTMANN, ARTMAN, ARTE, ARTS, ARCT and ARZT. Many of the modern family names throughout Europe reflect the profession or occupation of their forbears in the Middle Ages and derive from the position held by their ancestors in the village, noble household or religious community in which they lived and worked. The addition of their profession to their birth name made it easier to identify individual tradesmen and craftsmen. As generations passed and families moved around, so the original identifying names developed into the corrupted but simpler versions that we recognise today. Members of this family sought their fortunes in the new world of North America, leaving the place of their birth to escape poverty or religious persecution. The process of this colonization of North America began in l650. The majority found themselves in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Among the early settlers was G.ARTMAN who settled in Philadelphia in l879. A notable member of this name was Hans Carl ARTMANN who was born in l92l, the experimental writer from Austria. Because of the close relationship between the English and German languages, some Germans are able to transform their names to the English form just by dropping a single letter. Many Germans have re-spelt their names in America. A great number of immigrants from Germany settled in Pennsylvania. After the start of the first World War, Germans in great numbers Anglicized their names in an effort to remove all doubt as to their patriotism. Afterwards some changed back, and then during World War II the problem became acute once more, and the changing started all over again, although not with as much intensity. German or Teutonic heraldry extended its sphere of influence over central Europe and spread into Scandinavia. It is most notable for its design and treatment of crests, most of which reflect the arms in the charge or tinctures (colours) or both, which is unknown in British heraldry. Teutonic Europe assembled many arms on a single shield, each bearing its corresponding crest on a helmet.